Our Technical Solutions Group (TSG) is often contacted by photopolymer platemakers reporting an inconsistent floor. Typically, they measure the lamp output with a UV-A meter and see that the exposure bed is fairly consistent. They don't understand why early in the day things seem to be fine, but as several exposure cycles are performed, the … Continue reading Temperature Affects Polymerization→ Read More...

While safety is always at the top of our customer's priority list, often OSHA rules and regulations are not so clear-cut to some of our customer's or at least the individuals working in the production environment. Generally speaking it is APR's focus to provide new innovative ideas and products to make the printers life easier, more … Continue reading Understanding OSHA Regulations Pertaining to Flexo→ Read More...

Today's Anilox Roll Cleaning Currently, and for the past several years, we have used four primary means of cleaning anilox rolls. We have hand cleaned using stainless steel brushes and primarily caustic chemicals, ultrasonic, media blasting which limits certain line counts on anilox rolls based on the particulate size of the media. Most recently we … Continue reading Using Laser Technology for Anilox Roll Cleaning→ Read More...

While participating in a new press characterization, the customer reported they have been struggling with is variable SID (Solid Ink Density) across the web, however DOT gain is very consistent side to side. What this tells me is that while there may be parallelism between the rollers, i.e. anilox, plate sleeve, and CI (central impression … Continue reading Doctor Blade Pressure is Critical→ Read More...

Ink Density, A Universal Problem I can't imagine asking a printer if they ever struggle with achieving color or solid ink density (SID) during a press set up, and they reply with a "no". They would probably be much more likely to roll their eyes and asked me if that was a rhetorical question. The … Continue reading Lower Viscosity Increases SID?→ Read More...

Viscosity and surface tension are two physical characteristics of liquid. Viscosity is simply the measurement of how resistant to flow a liquid is, while surface tension is defined as the resistance a surface to liquid penetration. Viscosity and surface tension are affected by temperature changes. Understanding and controlling ink viscosity remains one of the most significant variables and flexo printing process. … Continue reading How Temperature Affects Ink Viscosity→ Read More...

Identify the Cause — Minimize the Cost - Part 3 of 3 The Conclusion In Part 1 of this series, the focus was on correctly defining and identifying print defects. Part 2 dealt with how the actions of support groups and reactions of the press operator can sometimes minimize the effect while other times they … Continue reading Bounce, Gear-marks, & Banding – Part 3→ Read More...

Identify the Cause — Minimize the Cost - Part 2 of 3 In Part 1 of this series, the primary focus was on correctly defining and identifying the print defect and how gear-marks can be present regardless of whether your press is gear or servo driven. Part 2 focuses on the operator's reaction to these … Continue reading Bounce, Gear-marks, & Banding – Part 2→ Read More...

Identify the Cause — Minimize the Cost - Part 1 of 3 This particular topic is one of the most common problems that continue to plague the flexographer on an on-going basis. It was even hard for me to come up with a simple title because the distinction between bounce, gear-marks and banding is often … Continue reading Bounce, Gear-marks, & Banding – Part 1→ Read More...